2017-04-10 Joint Meeting Exh A (Amend Commission Rules)

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The Windward Planning Commission was held in December 2014. The hearing transcript from Planning Director Duane Kanuha’s testimony, and I quote, “You know, they wanted some, some mechanism where the public had an opportunity to testify and comment such as they did this morning.” Further into his testimony, he said, “in working with several of the Council people, they wanted to see more transparency in the process, you know, that is why we’re supporting this amendment to move it up to the Planning Commission. It provides the kind of opportunities for public input ….” The West Hawai‘i Planning staff quoted that the County handles just three or four P.U.D.s a year. Back east, the municipalities that I dealt with, the planning departments held, processed 20-plus a month. Every month of the year. My comment is not to compare a large metropolitan area to Kona because you can’t do that; my point is that a large metropolitan area can process 20-plus a month and get it to the planning commission to be heard. We can do three or four a year. Just as the young lady prior to me said that if you don’t have the time, you’re in the wrong job. Thank you for your time. Thank you for allowing me to speak. Aloha. UNGER: Aloha, thank you. You may be seated. Councilperson Eoff, Allan Wondra. EOFF: Aloha, Mr. Chair and Members of both Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions. UNGER: Aloha. EOFF: My name is Karen Eoff, and I live in North Kona. So, yes, I am currently the Councilperson for District 8, North Kona, but prior to being elected and starting from the early eighties, I have been an advocate for citizens’ participation in government and especially in the land use planning and land use process, decision-making process. I have participated in many public hearings, as well as contested case hearings in the past. But, I thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony or provide testimony on these proposed rule changes to Rule 4, Contested Case Procedure. A contested case hearing offers an opportunity for a more in-depth hearing process when the impacts of a proposed development cannot be fully addressed or mitigated during the normal public hearing process. It is never easy to contest a permit for development, but encouraging public participation in the hearing process should be our goal. We should make it as easy as possible for those who desire to be participatory who seek to protect their communities, to protect natural and cultural resources, and who demonstrate a quest for justice. The proposal to eliminate the provisions for public notice and public participation contained in Rule 4-5(b) and 4-20 is contrary to open government and to the practice of good citizenship and responsible intervention. I do not believe that these provisions should be eliminated from the Planning Commission’s rules. And, just, kind of ironically, today you’re also discussing the change, or to include the Planned Unit Development rules into your rules, which, I did introduce that bill, and I did it to make that 20 EXHIBIT A